Episode Description:

Along with uncovering why symptoms are often dismissed, Dr. Soma shares actionable prevention strategies and outlines the key health screenings every South Asian woman should consider.

Tune in to gain knowledge that could save your life—or the life of a woman you love. And don’t forget to download the special Thinkific resource on heart health and explore Dr. Soma’s new book, Midlife Masala, for more empowering insights.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:52 Welcome to Soma Says

01:01 The Silent Threat of Heart Disease in South Asian Women

02:23 Understanding the Genetic and Cultural Factors

06:41 The Importance of Early Detection and Screening

10:11 Cultural Barriers and Stigma

13:05 Advocating for Your Health: Essential Tests

16:57 Effective Prevention Strategies

19:53 A Patient’s Story: The Power of Advocacy

21:03 Conclusion and Resources

📖 Get Dr. Soma’s Book: Midlife Masala

🌐 Amazon

📚 Barnes & Noble

📱 Kobo

⭐ BookBub

Or download the Thinkific companion resource directly from my website: www.somamandalmd.com

🙌 Support the Show & the Book

Subscribe to Soma Says wherever you listen to podcasts.

Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review to help more women discover these important conversations.

After reading Midlife Masala, please leave a review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads — your feedback makes a huge difference!

In this powerful episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma sits down with Stormy Quinn, author of The Menopause Decoder: The Ultimate Men’s Guide to Understanding and Supporting His Partner Through Change. Through a raw and personal journey, Stormy shares her struggles, revelations, and the passion that led her to write a book that supports both women and their partners during perimenopause and menopause.

Together, they dive into the real-life impact of hormonal shifts on sleep, nutrition, mood, and relationships—and what women can actually do about it. This conversation is filled with relatable insights, practical wellness tips, and a refreshing dose of humor and honesty.

Key Takeaways:

What Stormy wishes every woman knew about perimenopause

The role of weight training and protein during midlife

How to build open communication with partners and friends

The importance of persistence when seeking medical help

Simple mindset shifts that can change your wellness journey

⏱️ Episode Timeline:

00:00 — Introduction and Disclaimer

🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this conversation in their life!

📘 Get Stormy’s Book: The Menopause Decoder on Amazon

🔗 More from Dr. Soma: somamandalmd.com

In this inspiring episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma welcomes Dr. Tonie Reincke—a board-certified vascular and interventional radiologist and the founder of Reincke Vein Center in Sugar Land, Texas. With nearly three decades of experience, Dr. Reincke shares her extraordinary journey from ICU nurse to leading vein specialist, highlighting the power of perseverance, compassion, and patient-centered care.

Together, they discuss the emotional challenges of medical training, the hidden impact of vein disease on women’s health, and the most effective treatments for varicose and spider veins. Dr. Reincke also dives into her community outreach efforts and how education is transforming lives, one patient at a time.

Whether you're a provider, patient, or simply curious about the future of vein health, this episode is full of insight and heart.

🔗 Learn more about Dr. Tonie Reincke: https://reinckeveincenter.com

⏱ Episode Timeline:

In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma welcomes Eloise Drane, the founder and CEO of Family Inceptions, the first Black woman-owned surrogacy and egg donation agency in the U.S. With extensive personal experience as both an egg donor and gestational surrogate, Eloise shares her inspiring journey and discusses the challenges and joys of helping families build their futures. The discussion highlights key topics, including the need for insurance coverage in fertility care, addressing the lack of accessibility and information in reproductive health—especially for women of color—and the importance of patient advocacy. Eloise also takes us through the rigorous screening process for surrogates and the importance of trust and relationships in the surrogacy process. This episode serves as a call for better education in reproductive health and patient advocacy across the healthcare system.

Timeline for Apple Podcasts:

00:00 - Introduction and Disclaimer

00:52 - Meet Eloise Drane: A Trailblazer in Fertility

01:49 - Challenges in Fertility Care Access

03:04 - Eloise's Journey: From Kidney Donor to Surrogacy Advocate

04:24 - Starting Family Inceptions

05:23 - The Evolution of Surrogacy and Egg Donation

07:54 - Educating Women on Reproductive Health

10:54 - The Importance of Self-Advocacy in Healthcare

12:49 - Addressing Systemic Issues in Fertility Care

20:32 - Eloise's Personal Inspiration and Mission

22:55 - Navigating the Industry as a Person of Color

26:41 - Outdated Medical Training

29:19 - Advocating for Yourself

31:48 - Understanding Surrogacy

37:08 - Surrogacy Screening Process

44:08 - Educational Events and Resources

46:38 - Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Connect with Eloise Drane:

Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal (Host):

Episode Description:

Estefana shares her personal journey, including the challenges she faced as a Latina navigating the mental health field, and the deep impact of cultural and early-life experiences on emotional well-being. Together, they explore how CMI differs from traditional therapies—focusing on integrating rather than desensitizing memories—and how this powerful approach is changing lives.

You'll hear:

00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer

00:52 Personal Journey into Mental Health

01:55 Guest Introduction: Estefani Johnson

03:21 Critical Memory Integration (CMI) Overview

03:58 Cultural Influences on Mental Health

05:44 Understanding Critical Memories

08:24 CMI in Practice: Techniques and Benefits

17:04 Personal Transformation Stories

18:49 The Impact of CMI on Patients

21:47 Personal Reflections and Experiences

24:44 Recognizing Signs of Trauma

26:10 Understanding Trauma and Integration

27:51 The Role of Caregiving and Personal Boundaries

29:31 The Importance of Self-Care and Authenticity

32:27 Desensitization vs. Integration

34:46 The Continuous Journey of Healing

37:07 Training and Expanding CMI

43:18 Connecting with the Community

45:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Guest Links – Estefana Johnson

Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal

🎧 If this episode moved you, please leave a review, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and subscribe to Soma Says for more life-changing conversations.

In this inspiring episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal interviews Virginia “Gin” Oman — a transformational expert, licensed clinical mental health counselor, certified life coach, personal trainer, and harp therapist. Diagnosed with progressive multiple sclerosis in the late 1980s and told she’d never walk again, Gin rebuked expectations. She used the healing power of the mind-body connection, movement, music, and intuition to reclaim her life — going from wheelchair-bound to cycling and eventually serving as the MS Association’s National Ambassador.

🌟 Topics Covered

Resilience and defying the odds

Sound and movement therapy for trauma and chronic illness

Building a life of purpose and inspiring hope

00:00 – Intro & Disclaimer

Virginia “Gin” Oman

Instagram: @virginiaomanofficial 

Dr. Soma Mandal aka "Dr. Soma"

Instagram: @drsomamandalmd 

Website: somamandalmd.com

🧠 Episode Summary:

Together, they explore how consistent breathwork can help regulate hormonal fluctuations, migraines, and menopausal symptoms—and why personalized, holistic tools are the future of women's health.

🕰️ Episode Breakdown:

🌐 Learn More About Seesaw Health:

🔗 Connect with Dr. Soma Mandal:

🎙️ Money Mavericks: How Women Are Redefining the Rules of Wealth

In this empowering episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma welcomes back Melissa Murphy Pavone, founder of Mindful Financial Partners and a seasoned financial advisor with over 25 years of experience. As a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst (CDFA), Melissa brings not just numbers—but compassion, strategy, and clarity—to the table when helping women navigate the complex financial terrain of divorce.

They dive into the emotional and financial realities many women face during and after separation, from hidden financial pitfalls to the power of preparation. Melissa shares how women can protect their assets, gain financial literacy, and confidently take charge of their futures.

Whether you're contemplating divorce, in the middle of one, or supporting someone who is—this episode is full of practical insights and thoughtful guidance to help you move forward with strength and purpose.

🔑 Topics Covered:

🌐 Learn more about Melissa:

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube:

In this inspiring episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal sits down with Amy White, board-certified holistic nutritionist, functional nutrition & lifestyle practitioner, and certified life coach. As the founder and CEO of The Simplicity of Wellness, Amy shares her journey from healing her daughter’s gut issues to transforming the health of thousands of midlife women.

Amy unpacks her signature Hangry to Healthy™ program and how it helps women balance hormones, break free from food guilt, and create sustainable, science-backed habits—without restrictive diets. From understanding how food acts as information, to addressing metabolic shifts and hormonal imbalances in perimenopause and menopause, Amy offers empowering insights and tools for lasting wellness.

You’ll also hear about her private AI coaching platform designed to support clients in real time with personalized nutrition guidance. If you're navigating the complexities of midlife health, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

Connect with Amy White:

In this episode of Soma Says, Dr. Soma Mandal welcomes Shalvi Singh, AI visionary and founder of Health Engine—a groundbreaking platform using artificial intelligence to bridge the $50 billion gap in women’s healthcare.

From her personal journey with PCOS to building an app that decodes biomarker shifts and predicts women’s health transitions, Shalvi shares how Health Engine is reimagining care for conditions like PCOS, perimenopause, and more. They unpack the importance of integrating AI into traditional care, discuss the potential for clinic partnerships, and address data privacy concerns—all while empowering women to understand and advocate for their bodies like never before.

🔍 Whether you're a healthcare provider, technophile, or just fed up with feeling dismissed in the exam room, this conversation is your front-row seat to the future of women’s health.

Timestamps:

Guest Links: